Tribal families stage dharna demanding land pattas in Jajpur

Around 60 Adivasi families staged a dharna in front of Jajpur Sub-Collector’s office demanding land pattas. They alleged that they have been deprived of various schemes of the Odisha government owing to lack of land pattas.

The agitators alleged that though their children are educated, they are not getting jobs due to lack of caste certificates as well. For hundreds of years, around 66 Adivasi families have been living in Gohiradia area under Vyasanagar Tehsil of Jajpur district. However, they do not possess any land rights.

These aggrieved families took out a rally and later staged a dharna in front of the Sub-Collector’s office today. They are not covered under any of the existing government schemes including the Jaga Mission, Ghara Diha, Basundhara and Forest Land Right Law.

“At present, the Odisha government is distributing land pattas across the state under various schemes including Basundhara, Mo Jaga Mission and others. But it is surprising that the government doesn’t exist for these Adivasis inhabiting merely 5 km from Jajpur road. The Adivasis are also deprived of caste and other certificates. The children of these communities are also a deprived lot” said Biswanath Patra, Secretary, the Civil Society Forum.

Assistant Collector, Ajay Panda said, “We have accepted their grievances and we will take steps to distribute pattas to the eligible beneficiaries after an inquiry by the tehsildar and district welfare officer.”